AUGUSTA, Ga. () – In a fascinating installment of Your Hometown Roadtrip, the team connected with the dedicated individuals at Oaks Ministries to delve into their impactful community work.
Understanding Oaks Ministries
“Operating as a local non-profit in Augusta, Georgia, our mission centers on empowering students in Downtown Augusta to emerge as Christ-focused leaders. Our goal is for them to bring hope and transformation to their communities via the Gospel. We primarily achieve this through after-school and summer programs. These initiatives are based out of two key locations: Walton Oaks and Walton Green. Additionally, we run various outreach and mentorship programs tailored for middle and high school students,” explained Co-Director, Stephen Pitman.
What Lessons do Kids Take Away from These Programs?
“A rewarding aspect of our long-term involvement is encountering former students now in their late 20s. When we see them around town, they often recount how they always felt loved and safe with us. This feedback is incredibly meaningful. It’s also remarkable that some past students have returned to work with us as staff or volunteers. Today, their own children are part of our programs, marking the beginning of a second generation. I cherish the work we do and the tangible impact we’ve observed through our efforts,” reflected Pitman.
How do kids get involved with this program?
“For our Walton communities, we partner with Walton Communities, Walton Green here off of 15th Street of Walton Oaks, off of Sandbar Ferry. So, for our after school program they are residents of Walton Communities, and it’s offered to the residents, and as well we have an outreach program on Thursday nights for elementary students where students from the East Boundary, and Laney Walker areas, and then we have a mentorship program on Tuesday nights for kids from Walton communities, East Boundary, Laney Walker areas, and really it use to be that me and Mike would just go through the neighborhoods, build relationships, knock on doors, and now it’s just word of mouth. Kids telling other kids about us, parents telling other parents about us. So, they can reach out to us and sign up.”
What’s it like getting to see so many positive things happening?
“I think it’s very encouraging. I tell people as long as my hair keep growing, I’m going to keep doing this. I’ve been doing this for about 13 years, and I think one of the most rewarding things is seeing the students being engaged, seeing how they love what we’re doing, and that they love the support that we give them ,” said Co-Director Mike Rosser.
Why do you think it’s important to have this kind of program?
“I think that everyone needs some extra support, it takes a village to raise a child, so we’re all here, we’re not here to be the parents, we ‘re here to partner with the parents, and to provide a safe and Christ centered welcome, loving space for kids to come, and we want to see them. The reason we’re Oaks Ministries is we want to see them flourish and become oaks of righteousness in Christ, and we want to see them flourish in every area of their life. Academically, spiritually, physically, mentally, and we believe that’s important for any child,” said Pittman.
How do you want kids feeling after they leave out of here?
“I think first, most importantly I want them to know they are loved. Both by Christ, and by our staff. One of our values is we want to affirm students and their gifts, and who they are, and so we want them to walk out that door being confident in who God has created them to be, and the gifts and talents that they have.”
The Your Hometown Roadtrip team wants to thank Oaks Ministries for their continued work in the community.
To find out more about Oaks Ministries you can check their website.